When it comes to renovating your home or making a significant addition to your home, then you probably want to make sure that it’s going to last you for a while before it needs to be replaced. This is especially true if you plan on shelling out a good bit of money for the project!

Installing a new set of folding doors in your home can easily cost thousands of dollars. So, one of the most common questions we’ve gotten is, “How long do exterior folding doors last for?”

If they’re well cared for, most folding door systems are designed to last anywhere between 15 and 20 years without any major issues. Of course, this can vary depending on the manufacturer, what type of materials the door is made from, how often they’re used, and how they’re affected by the elements.

If you’re considering installing a set of folding doors in your home or you’re wondering how much longer your existing doors are going to last, then we’re about to answer all of your concerns. Below, we’ll talk about the average lifespan of folding door systems, which materials are the strongest/longest-lasting, and how to keep them working as good as new for as long as possible.

Average Lifespan Of Exterior Folding Doors

Providing that you purchased your folding door system from a high-quality manufacturer, they should easily last you a decade or more. Some may even last for the lifetime of the house if they’re taken care of and maintained!

Conversely, if you plan on purchasing a cheap set of exterior folding doors, then don’t expect them to last quite as long. While the cheap doors may continue to open and close as expected, the weather stripping may break down, and you’ll end up spending a lot of extra money on your energy bill than you would if you had purchased high-quality doors, to begin with.

What Doorframe Material Last The Longest?

If longevity is what you’re searching for, then you’ll want to go with a set of aluminum folding doors. Aluminum not only looks great, but it’s also corrosion-resistant and won’t rust, meaning that the elements won’t affect it as much as wood or stainless steel.

It’s also very lightweight, which means that it won’t put quite as much strain on the door’s hardware and rolling mechanism as a heavy hardwood or stainless steel door.

Vinyl doors will last for a good amount of time, but the sun’s UV rays can break down the structural integrity of the plastic over time. This can cause the doorframe to begin to crack or become warped after 10 to 15 years of constant use and exposure to the elements.

What Doorframe Materials Have The Shortest Lifespan?

Natural wood doorframes arguably have the shortest lifespan. There are really only two reasons that homeowners choose hardwood over other materials:

• It looks beautiful.
• It provides excellent insulation.

The first point is understandable… who doesn’t love the appearance of freshly-stained hardwood? The second point isn’t as big of a deal anymore due to the fact that aluminum and vinyl can be thermally insulated to perform just as well as wood.

The reason why wood won’t last as long is due to the fact that it’s an organic material. This means that water, UV rays, and even atmospheric moisture (humidity, dew) can seep into the door over time and break down the wood’s fibers, causing the door panels to warp over the course of 10 years or so.

What Can I Do Make My Folding Doors Last Longer?

All of that being said, there are several proactive measures that you can take to ensure that your doors last longer! Keeping up with these tips will not only help your doors last longer but will ensure that they function smoothly.

1) Make Sure Wood Folding Doors Are Stained

If you do opt for hardwood exterior folding doors, make sure that the protective stain is always maintained. If you ever notice the stain fading, it needs to be touched up or re-stained ASAP to prevent moisture from penetrating the wood’s surface.

2) Keep The Door Tracks Clean

The biggest cause of malfunctioning doors and warped door hardware is dirty tracks. When the tracks become blocked with rocks, gravel, and dirt, they can jam up the rollers, causing excessive strain on the system.

Keep the door tracks clean by using the hose attachment on your vacuum or a brush that can remove any blockages from the track.

4) Don’t Slam The Doors

Folding doors are meant to be gently opened and closed. If you go around slamming the doors or roughly shoving them, they’re not going to last anywhere near as long as they otherwise would. Do your best to treat the doors with care.

5) Don’t Lean On The Doors

The fastest way to warp your doorframe or the rollers is to lean on the doors. While the doors are designed to withstand some pressure from the wind, they aren’t designed to hold the weight of a full-grown adult leaning on it.

Conclusion

If you follow the tips we described above, then you’ll vastly increase the lifespan of your exterior folding door system! Generally speaking, you get what you pay for with doors, so if you want something that’s going to last, then we recommend going with a high-quality aluminum doorframe.